UAW Canvassers Mobilize to Oust Lorain County Commissioner Jeff Riddell

Amid a months-long effort that began in the summer, the United Auto Workers (UAW) is gearing up for a major voter outreach campaign targeting union members across Lorain County, with the goal of unseating County Commissioner Jeff Riddell.

Since February 18, members of UAW Local 2192 employed by Lorain County Job and Family Services have been striking. The strike continues due to commissioners, including Riddell, refusing to engage in good faith bargaining and denying the workforce a $1 per hour wage increase necessary to cope with today's economic challenges.

The ongoing strike, already the longest public-sector strike in Ohio’s history, is approaching the point where it could become the longest of its kind in U.S. history. Notably, Riddell narrowly won the primary election in May, defeating his Republican challenger by just 18 votes. His initial entry into office in 2022 was similarly close, secured by just over 100 votes.

“We have dozens of UAW canvassers in the field across Lorain County knocking doors to elect Amy Acton, Sherrod Brown, and Carolyn White for Lorain County Commissioner,” said Gina Jones, UAW Local 2192 bargaining committee co-chair and case worker on strike at Lorain County Job and Family Services. “Voters in Lorain County are sick of elected officials like Jeff Riddell who are bad at their jobs. We’re facing too much of an affordability crisis that all of us are hurt by. Our strike is the clearest example of how important it is to elect people who represent the interests of the working class. We need to elect candidates of all levels of government that aren’t driven by big money interests.”

Various workplaces represented by the UAW in the Lorain area have been contributing canvassers. Members of UAW Local 2192, who are striking during the week, have dedicated their Saturdays to participate in extensive canvass walks, aiming to inform UAW voters and their families about the necessity of replacing Commissioner Jeff Riddell in the upcoming election on November 3.